My Mute Bride

Not long after Victor left, Rachel heard the doorbell ring.

Originally thinking he left something behind, she opened the door, only to see a courier.

“Ms. Rachel Hudson?”

Upon hearing that, Rachel nodded.

“There are two intracity express parcels for you. Please sign here.”

Startled, she signed for the parcels, thereafter receiving a cake and a paper bag.

Right now on the table, there was still half an uneaten cake that Victor had rushed out to buy at noon upon finding out it was her birthday.

So, who bought the cake that the courier delivered?

Setting it aside on the table for now, she pulled a rectangular suede box out of the paper bag.

With a click, she opened it and discovered a silver-colored necklace in the box that glimmered underneath the light

The pendant was in the simple design of a small sun with a hollow center.

Putting down the box, she found a card on top of the cake box that simply read ‘Happy Birthday’ without any signature.

Dumbfounded, she stared at the items until her phone started vibrating.

It was a text message from Julian reading, ‘Did you receive what I sent?’

Immediately, she understood. ‘I did. I was wondering who would remember my birthday.’

‘Don’t forget that you’re a patient of mine. It’s not strange that I would remember your birthday.’

‘Thank you.

‘You’re welcome. Are you free? I just finished work; come down for a walk with me!

Looking at the time, she agreed, ‘Okay.’

At this hour after dinner, the community was lively. All of the houses were lit up, and the sound of children laughing could be heard around the neighborhood as they ran around playing.

Rachel set the cake box down on a stone table and opened it. Before she could even offer some to anyone, a group of children was surrounding her and

cake is so pretty,

a knife and a paper plate,

and pulled some candles out of a box to the side. “Today is Miss Rachel’s birthday. Before she treats

of the group, which happened to be a little girl in pigtails, immediately said, “Wish Miss Rachel a

must sing the

close her eyes and

Rachel must blow out the

to indicate to Julian that there was no need to

sing ‘Happy Birthday’ in unison. The delicate chorus of young

“Make a wish.”

There’s no need.

birthday, Miss Rachel. My mommy says you have to say it in your heart and

little girl who wasn’t even at table height

hands and made a wish.

you!” their

children raced off, dabbing icing on each other’s faces. Just like that, the strangers in the community suddenly seemed closer and

of the streetlamp, Rachel finally smiled for the

need to be so courteous with me.” Walking her back to her apartment building, Julian continued, “The most important thing right now is to take care of your body and your mood. You don’t need to worry about anything else. As for

anyway, so I might as well pretend it never existed for now. At that point, Rachel’s expression was

child, he changed the topic and told her, “Go on upstairs, then. It’s been getting colder

she turned and headed

apartment and

propped open

Justin glowering at her, his darkened face made all the

out on business? she

slid sideways into the house

you’ve been

she took two steps

toward her as he pulled off his necktie and

icebergs as he sneered, “I suppose you wouldn’t want me to ruin your

step he approached her, forcing her back inch by

idea what she did

her arm and pulled, she staggered after him and was dragged all the way